Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place Despite Late Carthage Eagles Fightback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team build a commanding lead, but they were compelled to hold on for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in the host nation.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from their attacking trio.
Yet, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, sparking hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were given a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia were inches away from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, advance to 6 group points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will face a best third-place team from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point each after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final group fixtures will see Nigeria remain in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to give his team a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the next team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward last period transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal incident arrived when a high ball struck the arm of the full-back, with the official awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny remains in their own hands; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past early elimination that resulted in his departure.
